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MWSA Review

Poems in the Keys of Life: Reflections of a Combat Medic

Author:  Kerry “Doc” Pardue

Poetry

Publisher:  PublishAmerica

$14.95

These poems are a reflective journey to find healing after the War in Vietnam.  35 years ago I was a combat medic.  When I came home I was determined to put Vietnam behind me.  Somehow, deep within my heart, soul, and spirit Vietnam was a part of who and what I became.  Finally, my journey to healing began and these poems are the result of that journey 35 years later.  These are a collection of poems about recovering from war and the effects of PTSD. They will make you cry, laugh, and appreciate friendships.

REVIEWS:

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Solemnly Swear

by Joe Porrazzo

Fiction, Thriller

$26.95

After a career of excitement and danger, former U.S. Air Force special agent Alex Porter retires and looks forward to leading a simple, civilian life. He celebrates the successes of his daughter, a college honor student and pilot candidate in the ROTC program, and is just starting to dip his toe into the dating pool again. But when he comes upon an accident turned crime scene involving New England mafia don Vince Vionelli, Porter lands in serious hot water.

REVIEWS:

Solemnly Swear is a page turner...I enjoyed every moment and haven't been on the edge of my seat to the very last page of a book in 15 years...awesomely written with an unexpected payoff at the end!" --  Val H., Tucson, Arizona

“Awesome Book!  I was hooked from page one.  I can’t wait to read more!  This book is definitely a winner!”-- Amanda J., Bushnell, Florida

“Solemnly Swear is an awesome tale of murder, mystery and mayhem collaborating towards keeping you at the edge of your seat.”--  Missi W., Tucson, Arizona

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First Marine Captured in Vietnam
A Biography of Donald G. Cook
Donald L. Price

Non-Fiction, Vietnam War
ISBN 978-0-7864-2804-5

Publisher: McFarland
67 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
334 pp. softcover
price: $35
 

Colonel Donald Gilbert Cook was the first U.S. Marine captured in Vietnam; the first and only Marine in history to earn the Medal of Honor while in captivity; and the first Marine POW to have a U.S. Navy ship named in his honor, the USS Donald Cook (DDG-75). On December 31, 1964, while serving as an observer with a South Vietnamese Marine Corps battalion on a combat operation against Viet Cong forces, he was captured near the village of Binh Gia in South Vietnam. Until his death in captivity in December 1967, Cook led ten POWs in a series of primitive jungle camps. His leadership and adherence to the U.S. Military Code of Conduct earned him the nation’s highest military award, but Cook never received historical attention commensurate with his enormous accomplishments.
 

REVIEW:

“Brings back the terror and heartache of these times...thoroughly-researched...highly recommended!”—Midwest Book Review

“[the author] has done a great service in his book...I highly recommend this book”—Marine Corps Gazette

“Very impressive...a captivating read”—Purple Heart Magazine

“riveting...extensive research”—U.S. Naval Institute

"Portions of the book are painful and poignant, but most are inspiring and compelling... (Col Cook) epitomized the best of America. (Price) has written a fitting tribute to him"--Vietnam Magazine

PURCHASE HERE:

Purchase through McFarland. Orders only Tel: 800-253-2187, Orders only FAX: 336-246-4403 or

www.mcfarlandpub.com/

 

The Making of a Soldier

Lt. Col. George Powers

History, Memoir, Vietnam

$15.80

The Making of a Soldier  is the life story of a man who believed, from his youth that he was gifted as a soldier to rise to the highest rank as a Commissioned Officer; who volunteered to learn his craft through Ranger School, Airborne School, and the John F. Kennedy Warfare School,  eventually becoming a Master Parachutist; who was called upon to serve thirty months in combat in Vietnam as an Infantry Officer; whose life was dramatically changed by encountering  his God in flight above the Delta en-route from Can Tho to Saigon in an Air America aircraft. God spoke to him in an unmistakably direct, though inaudible voice, an invitation to change the focus of his life career. The book seeks to show how God is at work developing many of us into spiritual soldiers, warriors who are invited to serve in His Army, often with far less prestige and fame than is experienced in the military services. And amazingly, as the author discovered, God uses much of the lessons learned by the military in a parallel spiritual application to advance His Kingdom on the earth.

To order directly from author call:

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MWSA Review

D.E.R.O.S.

by John Rider

Published by Booklocker

Fiction, Vietnam

$15.95

The year is 1968.  Wired in-series, trip-hammer shocks jolt the country... The capture of the USS Pueblo, Tet, LBJ declines to run, the murders of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy…

In Vietnam, a USAF pilot gets news that, to him, is every bit as jarring as those electrifying events: An airline wants to interview him for a cockpit job.  In Dallas, three weeks from now. They have no idea he’s in Vietnam. 

He still has fifty-six days and a wake-up before he can leave.

Jack Boland is a Forward Air Controller pilot, part of a small USAF detachment stationed with a U.S. Army brigade, at a base camp in the jungle, seventy-five miles north of Saigon.

Flying small, vulnerable spotter aircraft, the FACs fly over the jungle, looking for VC -- and when Brigade grunts get in trouble, bring in jet fighters to get Charlie off their backs.

The story is at times funny, as well as brutal, terrifying, idiotic, and in the end, tragic..Catch-22 in Vietnam.
 

REVIEWS:

"John tells it as it happens in combat. He captures the love, hate, jealousy, envy and personal competition as well as the military politics, combined with a great story, which is not too far fetched. Having once been in combat most pilots do not yearn to repeat the experience, but never forget having been there." ~'Wally' Wallesverd, Korean War veteran.

"This book, well written, even though fictional describes the functions and life in Vietnam as a FAC PILOT... at any rate whether pilot or not you'll find the book interesting from beginning to the end. D.E.R.OS." ~ Carl L. Bailey
 

PURCHASE HERE
 

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M.P, A Novel of Vietnam

by John R. Schembra

Fiction, Vietnam

$12.99

June, 1967  As Vincent Torelli stepped off the plane at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, he was almost overwhelmed by the stench in the hot, humid air. He still had a hard time realizing he was in Vietnam. Drafted into the armed forces five months earlier, he ended up becoming a Military Policeman, assigned to the 557^th MP Company at Long Binh Post just outside Bien Hoa City. His year tour of duty in Vietnam changes him from a somewhat naïve young man to a battle-hardened veteran. Through unlucky chance, Vince becomes involved in the ferocious ’68 Tet Offensive, barely surviving the night. He sees and experiences things he could never have imagined before Vietnam.

This is Vince’s story, of how he survived that year in Vietnam, how he coped with the hell he faced, of the friendships he formed, and of the sorrow of lives lost.

REVIEWS

"A very readable book and great entertainment" - Military Writers Society of America

"Well worth reading.  I highly recoommend this action packed book." - eBook Reviews Weekly

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Retribution

by John R. Schembra

Fiction

$13.99

There is a vigilante killer loose in San Francisco, and when the court system fails, he doles out his own brand of justice.

Inspector Vince Torelli has handled some of San Francisco’s worst homicides, but this case has him baffled. It seemed that no matter what he did, the suspect stayed one step ahead of him. The killer seemed to know what Inspector Torelli’s next move would be. Hell, the false clues and trail the killer planted kept him chasing shadows, leading him away from the real killer.

Who is the Retribution Killer, and would Vince survive long enough to solve his most difficult case?

Winner of the Military Writers Society of America 2007 Silver Medal for excellence in writing

REVIEW:

John Schembra has written a follow up to the adventures of Vince Torelli.  However, this does not take place in Vietnam like John's first nove, "M.P."  Torelli has returned home and now is an inspector with the San Francisco Police  Department where he gets involved in a serial killer investigation and the search for the "Retribution" Killer.  The author's 30 years wof being a police officer shines through in the book.  It's rich with detail, especially when describing the horrendous crimes and crime scenes.  These particular things are very vivid to the reader.  It's more an expose' on our disintegrating, over-burdened court system where deals are made leaving the men who do the work in the field stressed out at the results.
I liked this book a lot, and its a definite compliment to his first book about Vince.  The author leaves you hanging in this one.  What will be Vince's next move?  Will he also succumb to the folly that is justice?  It will be interesting to see how the author follows this up.  In his third book?  Hope so. -- Jim Stewart. Author of The Ghosts of Vietnam, Brawley PD, San Diego Schools PD (Retired) Website- Military Police of the Vietnam War 

PURCHASE HERE

BATTLEFILM: U.S. Army Signal Corps Motion Pictures of the Great War

By Phillip W. Stewart

Non-fiction, History, World War I

$29.95

Selected as the Best History Book by Reader Views 2008 Annual Literary Awards and Award Finalist in the Military History category of the National Best Books 2007 Awards!

BATTLEFILM is an unique reference guide to WWI era documentary films of the U.S. Army Signal Corps held at the U.S. National Archives.  For the first time, in book form, there is concise information about the surviving motion picture films that were taken over ninety years ago.  BATTLEFILM details 467 film titles that cover America’s part in this conflict.  Each of the 957 reels of action is described using data gathered from actual Army records.  These historic films of World War I action exist today on silent, black and white motion picture film.  Whether you’re a historian, media researcher, documentary producer, or a student of film, this book provides an accurate and timeless reference to the moving images of America’s effort in the “War to End All Wars”.

REVIEWS:

 "This book is one of a kind. It is destined to become an important resource for historians, media researchers, documentary producers, and students of films..." Reader Views

"...A seminal work of exhaustive research characterized by a logical layout and an extensive index..." Midwest Book Review

"It's a 'must have' book if you happen to be looking for original film footage regarding WWI. This is a very well organized and detailed catalog." MWSA

BATTLEFILM: U.S. Army Signal Corps Motion Pictures of the Great War (9780979324321, pms press, 2007) may be purchased from the publisher or via Amazon.com.  More information is available at the author's website, www.pwstewart.com.

PURCHASE HERE:

By Phillip W. Stewart

Non-fiction, History, World War I

$29.95

Have you ever seen a "Jenny" do a triple loop or a squadron of American made "Liberty" bombers take off on a mission over the front?  You can...in glorious black and white!

WAR WINGS is a unique reference guide that describes, in detail, over 2,500 scenes of WWI aviation related documentary motion pictures.  Contrary to some widely held beliefs, large, heavy, wooden boxes with crude brass-encased glass lenses, metal hand cranks, and ungainly tripods were, indeed filming the events of the Great War.  They were shot on location, as history happened, by dedicated and courageous U.S. Army Signal Corps soldier-cameramen.  Scenes of pilot training, aerial combat in the skies over France, airplane manufacturing, and the post-Armistice testing of enemy airplanes were all captured on film during 1917 through 1919.

REVIEW:

“Absolutely indispensable to a student of World War I aviation. I wish I had it when co-founding Wingspan, the Air & Space Channel…Phil Stewart’s succinct real by reel, scene by scene, analysis is complemented by a wonderful index.” — Walter J. Boyne, Author/Editor of numerous books on military aviation and National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinee

“Allows the reader to almost watch the films themselves unroll…the next best thing to seeing the films themselves.” — Leonard E. Opdycke, Editor/Publisher, WWI Aero: The Journal of the Early Aeroplane

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“Amy Goodpaster Strebe’s book is excellent … meticulously researched, well-written, and convincingly argued and documented. One of the book’s great strengths is a comprehensive bibliography that makes it particularly valuable as a reference for students and professionals alike.”– Air & Space / Smithsonian

 “I really enjoyed the book. It tells the true story of how women were involved in aviation during the war.” – General Chuck Yeager

 “Before reading Flying for Her Country I never imagined that the Russian women military pilots of WWII had the same values (honor, integrity, courage, commitment, faith, patriotism, service and sacrifice) as America’s WWII women pilots. This fascinating book portrays a significant chapter in history that is not found in most history books. It is educational, motivational and inspirational as it chronicles the history of how these young women military pilots proved that, no matter the challenge, no matter your nationality, and no matter how difficult the mission, you can do anything, if it’s the right thing to do and you put your mind to it.”– Deanie Bishop Parrish, WASP (Class 44-W-4)

 “Strebe has done an outstanding job researching and writing about the invaluable contributions made by women pilots in the Second World War. As pioneers in military aviation, the WASP proved to the world that they were indeed capable of flying both fighter and bomber aircraft. In the case of the Soviet women aviators who saw combat along the Eastern Front, their indomitable spirit and heroism in battle have made them legendary. A book depicting the combined achievements of these intrepid military airwomen is long over due. I highly recommend it.” – Dr. Peggy Chabrian, President and Founder, Women in Aviation, International

 “Strebe’s book offers a beautifully written, well-researched account of a little known but fascinating aspect of World War II. Her story of these women aviators in the U.S. and USSR is both dramatic and moving. Their courage is truly remarkable. Equally amazing is the way they were treated by their respective governments because of their gender. Strebe’s book is not to be missed by anyone interested in women’s history and military history.” - Dr. Mary Pickering, Professor of History, San Jose State University

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The Last Farewell: A journey of the heart

By Edmund Burke O’Connell. Co-authored by Julie Whitman Jones and Thomas J. Sullivan, Jr.
Non-Fiction, WW2

Paperback- $21.99

Hardback- $31.99

The Last Farewell, a posthumous wartime
memoir set against the rich, colorful landscape of historic Florence and Northern Italy, tenderly recalls one soldier’s love story through the viewfinder of a still and motion picture camera during the Italian campaign of the Second World War.

An unlikely luncheon date during a lull in the summer 1944 liberation of Florence leads Edmund Burke O’Connell, an Army motion picture photographer with the U.S. Army's 196th Signal Photo Company to meet an
attractive English-speaking Florentine, Tina Calamai. Their friendship steadily blossoms into love as her family’s 15th century Medici villa, the Villa Calamai, becomes his wartime base of operations.
 

REVIEWS:

“This well-written and researched, romantic memoir, richly embellished with photographs and additional historical material, is a must read. My 80-something mother read it in one sitting, saying not only was it a riveting story, it brought back for her many memories of World War II and gave her new insights into a war that affected a generation.” -- Elaine Larsen, Editor and Publisher, Pacifica Tribune

 "Mesmerizing tale traversing the war-torn confines of Tuscany. Well-written, with brilliant photographs. Read it over an obliging chianti and two helpings of tiramisu." - Tom Gollo

 "An intimate snapshot in an important age, painstakingly researched." -- Alan Wald

PURCHASE HERE:

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MWSA Review

Coyote Jack: Drawing meaning from Life and Vietnam

by Jack Lyndon Thomas

Hard Cover, Color Photos, Maps

Non-fiction, Memoir, Art/Photography, Vietnam

$28.95

Coyote Jack overlays a fascinating exposition of life and death in the most enigmatic of American conflicts with an individual's struggle to free himself from the enemy that stands ready to thwart a full and authentic life.  Through Jack, we live in sandbag bunkers, bathe out of wells, and dodge booby traps, as he learns the privations and landmines of his personal life are as complex as the clashing cultures and divisive politics that created, and ended the war in Vietnam.

Thomas was an Infantry Lieutenant who lived and fought with South Vietnamese Regional and Popular Forces.

REVIEWS:

"A Soldier's Trip Through War and Peace…This book is a very interesting confluence of personal combat experience, difficult family dynamics, and the pain of unresolved emotions and questions of purpose told by an articulate and complex man… The remainder of the book, concentrating on his participation as a leader of Mobile Advisory Team III-56, attached to the Regional Forces/Popular Forces in Hau Nghia Province, is a slow but steady revelation of how Jack becomes disillusioned with the war, yet is proud of what he and his team are trying to do for the people of Viet Nam. The dangers, conflicts, frustrations and successes meld into an entertaining read; not full of "shoot `em up" combat stories, but rich with the dynamics of men in conflict..." - Lawrence Mayes

"An Important, Relevant Memoir of a Viet Nam Veteran …I particularly enjoyed the profound poems and statements that introduced each chapter. Part II of the book with Maps and beautiful colored photographs awakened all my senses to the culture, the country, and the people who impacted the life of young Jack Lyndon Thomas through his Viet Nam experience… Thomas is a gifted, creative, and articulate …" - Richard R. Blake

"A soldier returns to Viet Nam…The treasure of "Coyote Jack" lies in his telling of the small details of Vietnam life. The author's narrative - not his fanciful descriptions - but the straightforward stories bring the people and places alive. Appealing children, stoic adults, terrible deprivations, horrific accidents, humidity and mud, and ever-present danger - the listing for this rich account could be long indeed, and altogether it allows the country and its people to become very real…" - Marcelline 'Marcy' Burns, Reader Views www.readerviews.com

"A journey into the past ...Vietnam haunted the author for over thirty years. This memoir is about his journey back to Vietnam to visit the battlefields he had once known so intimately."- Arnold Howard

PURCHASE INFO: 

Signed Copy from JackLyndonThomas@comcast.net for $31.95 including S&H via Paypal

Also available via Barnes & Noble Online & Amazon

www.lyndonjacks.com

U.S. NAVAL AIR SUPERIORITY: Development of Shipborne Jet Fighters 1943-1962
by Tommy H. Thomason

Non-fiction, History, All Things Military

$44.95 plus $6.95 shipping and handling

Specialty Press
 

For the first time, U.S. Naval Air Superiority profiles the turbulent design and development stage of the Navy’s carrier-based jet fighter program. From the successful designs, such as the Fury, Banshee, Crusader, and Phantom II, to the also-rans, like the Fireball, Demon, Pirate, and Cutlass, the Navy’s needs are measured against contractor and political demands and the limits of the evolving engine and aerodynamic technologies of the day.

REVIEW:

"If you buy only one book on early USN jets in your lifetime, this is the one to get. It is that good." -Modeling Madness, reviewed by Scott Van Aken, February 2008

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MWSA Review